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49ers' McDonald arrested for domestic violence

Defensive end Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Jacquizz Rodgers on January 20, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia (AFP Photo/Kevin C. Cox)

San José (United States) (AFP) - National Football League veteran Ray McDonald was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of domestic violence.

Law enforcement officials said the San Francisco 49er defensive end was booked in Santa Clara County jail for "inflicting injury on a spouse or cohabitant."

McDonald was questioned and released after posting bail.

The Sacramento Bee newspaper reported that McDonald was involved in an altercation with his pregnant fiancee while having a birthday party at his home.

According to the paper, the woman showed police bruising on her neck and arms when the officers arrived and McDonald was subsequently arrested.

The arrest comes a couple days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell instituted tough new penalties for players involved in domestic violence offences.

The harsher penalties are a response to criticism over the two-game suspension handed to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for an altercation with his now-wife in a New Jersey casino in February.

In a letter to team owners outlining revisions to the NFL's personal conduct policy, Goodell said that violations regarding assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault involving physical force would bring a six-game ban without pay and a second offence will bring a minimum one-year ban from the NFL.